Friday, July 27, 2012

I wrote an article for the HINDU Metroplus (25th July 2012) on Chinnappa Devar and Rajesh Khanna. THE FULL , UN EDITED Version is this.......

THE SANDOW AND THE SUPERSTARS

“If Aradhana had flopped will you ask me to reduce my salary
? , No , Devar Ji , I will do the film in the salary we spoke , you even made
full payment even before we started and showed your faith in me “ was
“Superstar” Rajesh Khanna’s reply to Sandow M.M.A.Chinnappa Devar recalled R.Thyagarajan the son in law of
Devar. The picture Haathi Mere Saathi came about in early 1969 as Devar , who
was making a few small budget films without his usual “superstar” MGR , wanted
to make a big film . MGR was busy with his political activity and could not
accommodate dates. Director Sridhar, his neighbor and close friend suggested to
Devar to make a Hindi Film.

Devar had earlier made a film “Deiva Cheyal” – the
protagonist was a middle aged man who is helped by an elephant. This was
reworked making the protagonist young and the first half had romance and action
while the second half had its fair share of sentiment. Devar went to Bombay and
narrated the script to Sanjiv Kumar , who immediately said that he may not be
suitable for the first half of the film and suggested the name of a rising star
– Rajesh Khanna. Upon hearing the script Rajesh who was shooting Aradhana
immediately agreed and recommended two young boys to assist Devar in the script
– Salim -Javed. Aradhana was a super hit and Rajesh Khanna’s salary had
quadrupled , this prompted Devar to go back to Bombay and ask him if he wanted
more money. Devar is said to have made the classic remark in his characteristic
broken English to Rajesh Khanna as he handed over the entire amount – “Rate you
– Date me” – meaning I have paid what you asked , now give me the dates that I
want.

The shooting commenced in Vauhini Studios in early 1970 and
the outdoor portion was shot in Ooty. The film was Directed by M.A.Thirumugam ,
Devar’s younger brother , a competent Director/Editor. They released the film in
26 Theatres in Delhi and its suburbs. The competition was “Maryada” with Raj
Kumar and Rajesh Khanna. The results of the first few days was not encouraging
and Devar was disappointed. Rajesh Khanna rang him up and told him not to lose
hope and to come to Delhi via a few towns . By the time the group from Madras
reached Delhi , the film had become a box office hit. Rajesh Khanna sent Devar
a Telegram that said “Your and Our Lord Muruga has not let us down”. Rajesh
Khanna and Shakthi Samantha formed a company called Sakthi Raj films , bought
and released the film in Bombay where
too , like the rest of India the film was a top grosser.

Devar had booked Shankar Jaikishen to do the Music for
Haathi Mere Saathi. Director Sridhar adviced him to approach Laxmikanth
Pyarelal as they were more suited to Devar’s quick style of functioning. When
he approached they said they were too busy. During the meeting he recalled the
mention of a “Party” and when he enquired he was told it was the first birthday
of Laxmikanth ‘s child. He quickly went to Jewellery shop and purchased several
Gold coins and uninvited went to the party. No one knew who the Dhoti clad
simple man was , when he proceeded to shower the child with Gold. Mrs.Laxmikanth enquired and told her
husband “You compose Music for all those
who come home and drink at your expense and refuse the Man who showers our
Child with Gold “? Needless to say the stratagem worked and the song “Chal Chal
Chal mere Haathi” reverberated all across India – Composed by Laxmikanth
Pyarelal. Mr.A.V.M.Saravanan recalls
that Devar made it a practice to pay all money in 10 Rs notes – the logic was –
“ it will appear as if I am giving a lot of money. “

Marudur Marudachalamurthy Ayyavoo Chinnappa Devar was born
on the 28th of June 1915. His father was an agriculturist. Devar stopped
with his 5th Standard and started to work. He was told that unless
he had a good physique he could not enter the film world. To that end he
proceeded to master the various forms of fighting and also improve his
physique. He and his brother first acted in the 1940 film “Thilottama” ,
actually it was a fight sequence where only their Shadows were filmed fighting.
Devar earned the title “Sandow” because of his well developed Body and skills
in the Martial Arts.

He had started playing various small roles in the films shot
in Coimbatore and in 1947 while acting in the film “Rajakumari” a deep and
abiding friendship developed with the hero MGR. As a hero MGR too recommended
Devar in all the films he worked. This went on till the mid 1950s when Devar
started a Production company in Partnership with A.P.Nagarajan and two others.
The film just about broke even and they all parted ways. Devar then asked his friend
MGR , who readily agreed and they made “Thaikkupin Thaaram” in 1956. The film
was a success and Devar was launched as a film maker. He had a policy of
Muhurat shoot on a New Moon day ( Amavasya) and the picture will be released by
the 3rd Amavasya. MGR had become busy with his own production
“Nadodi Mannan” and Devar was forced to make a few small pictures.

Then in 1960
he started to record the music for his film “Thaai Sollai Thattadhe” where he cast
Ashokan as the hero. When the recording was over he felt a hand pressing him on
his shoulder , he turned and it was MGR . He heard the songs recorded and then
asked for the story to be narrated. MGR then asked Devar to come to his house
where in front of MGR’s mother’s picture he made a promise that he will adhere
to all of Devar’s conditions and in return Devar should make films only with
him. This “agreement” led to Devar making 16 films with him , the last being
Nalla Neram in 1972 , the Tamil remake of “Haathi Mere Saathi”.

Devar had a penchant for using Animals in his films from
Snakes to Goats to Elephants he used them. The elephants for Haathi Mere saathi
were taken from the Great Oriental Circus and he housed them in a 2 ½ acre plot of land on Arcot Road. This used
to belong to M G R and later to Venus Pictures. Later The Kothandapani Audio
Studio was built by the singer S.P.Balasubramaniam on part of this plot.

“Devar was an ardent devotee of Lord Muruga . He used to
donate 1 out of 5 Rs Profit to a Murugan Temple .The road to Marudamalai , The
Prakhaaram at Thiruchendur and the main Hall in Vadapalani Temple are all his
contribution. While Shooting if he wanted the Sun he will shout at the heavens
and ask his Murugan to send the Sun out , for him everything was Murugan
“recalls Film Producer A.V.M.Saravanan. Director SP.Muthuraman recalls visiting
his set in Vauhini Studios when they were shooting the film “Muruhan Adimai”.
They had lined up a complex shot of a Peacock , a Bird that just cannot be
trained , flying through a series of Doors and reaching the idol of Lord Muruga
in the sanctum sanctorum. Everyone was wondering if this would ever happen when
Devar stood up Prayed to Lord Muruga and said – You make it happen , I don’t
care ….and asked for the Cameras to roll and the peacock to be released. The
peacock flew beautifully through the four or five doors and landed at the feet
of the Idol . all of us were totally amazes not just at this but at the
implicit faith Devar had in God.

In his later years with MGR getting more and more into
active politics , Devar started to make films in the Socio –mythological Genre.
They were films set in modern times with the Central theme that faith and belief in God will solve
one’s problems. When The Paramacharya of Kanchi heard about Devar and the films
promoting theism like “Thunaivan” , he sent word to Devar wanting to meet him. Devar was hesitant as he
was shooting with MGR. When MGR heard about this he told Devar to immediately
go and seek the blessings of the Sage and that he will personally supervise the
Shooting of the next few days. Devar and his family rushed to Kalavai where the
Paramacharya was camping. He blessed Devar and told him not to worry as Lord
Muruga was the watchman in his house and the sage added “if possible put in a
good word about me to him”. Devar broke down on hearing this from the
Paramacharya .

When The Paramacharya of Kanchi heard about Devar and the films promoting theism like “Thunaivan” , he sent word to Devar through Mr.Lakshmana Iyer of Ananda Pictures wanting to meet him. Devar was hesitant as he was shooting with MGR. When MGR heard about this he told Devar to immediately go and seek the blessings of the Sage and that he will personally supervise the Shooting of the next few days. Devar and his family rushed to Kalavai where the Paramacharya was camping. He blessed Devar and told him not to worry as Lord Muruga was the watchman in his house and the sage added “if possible put in a good word about me to him”. Devar broke down on hearing this from the Paramacharya .

One day after performing the Kandha Sashti Pooja in
Thiruchendur, Devar told those around him that he has been doing this for 12
Years and the next year they will all have to carry on the tradition. Those
around him were taken aback and pooh poohed these remarks. Devar used to say
that he will pass away on a “sashti” ( 6th day of the Moon) when the
Star was Vishaka , considered to be very auspicious for Muruga , in fact he
used to say if it were any other date he will go up and beat Muruga. As he
desired he passed away on the 8 th of September 1978 – It was Vishaka and it
was a Sashti.

He became what he was because of a “Superstar” – MGR , achieved
National fame because of another Superstar – Rajesh Khanna. His Production
house and family was given much timely help by the current “Superstar”
Rajinikanth says his son in law. After Devar’s demise Rajesh Khanna and
Rajinikanth did a Hindi film together for them in 1985 – Bewafai. The Sandow
had not one but 3 superstars who loved and cherished him.

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Me...

I am an actor in Tamil Films and TV & a management Graduate from XLRI. I have acted in about a 100 Films and over 4000 TV episodes. I am also a Corporate Trainer and use movies as a tool to teach .This experiential type of learning with games,movies etc has worked well with people from all areas and levels of Management. As a Philatelist my interests are Stamps on Cinema and I have a huge collection of Stamps on this subject.I have also been instrumental in the Postal Authorities honouring several doyens of the film industry by bringing out Special Day Covers and in a few cases Postage Stamps as well.I regularly give lectures on Film related subjects and have spoken about Chennai in Cinema, Nagesh , Chandrababu, Kishore Kumar, M.R.Radha to name a few. I have written articles on Famous Film personalities in The Hindu, madras Musings, Satyam Cinema magazine etc.

About Me

I can boldly state that I am South India's only ENTERTRAINER. I use Cinema and my experience of nearly 20 Years in it to conduct Training programs and Lectures in English and TAMIL on Communication , Team Work , Leadership , Personal Growth , Planning etc. These are peppered with anecdotes and stories from the Film Industry. I use Hollywood , Bollywood and Kollywood films depending on the audience.

I also collect Postage Stamps on Cinema and my collection has been awarded a few medals at State and National level comptitions.

I give lectures on film related subjects - I have spoken to a wide variety of people from Judges of the High Court to Lovers of Cinema and Chennai City.

I am married to Padma - (since 1979) and we have two children. My son V.P.Raman is a practicing advocate and is married to Sowmyah , they are blessed with a son - my grandson - Rudra. My daughter Vidyullekha is a succesful actor in Tamil and Telugu films.

I was recently awarded "Distinguished Alumni Award" by my alma mater - XLRI , where I did my MBA - 1978 batch of PGDBM. I have also been awarded the Tamil Nadu State Govt Award for best character award.